Tape cutter



United States Patent Ofi ice 3,262,204 Patented July 26, 1966 3,262,204- TAPE CUTTER John R. Holthaus, Baltimore, Md. (8573 Main Ave., Riviera Beach, Md. 21122) Filed Nov. 3, 1964, Ser. No. 408,512 2 Claims. (Cl. 30-298) This invention relates generally to cutlery, and more particularly it pertains to a finger-ring type knife with a replaceable blade for cutting a tape. Although this inrvention is illustrated in conjunction with cutting a tape, it is not limited thereto as the finger-ring knife can be be used to cut any type of material as desired.

In applying adhesive tape, it is often observed that an otherwise perfect job of taping is spoiled by the [final tension applied when the last lap of tape is torn from the roll. This, of course, is not the case if the tape is cut with a knife or shears, but such implements are unhandy to use when both hands are occupied.

Objects of this invention, therefore, are to provide a [knife to be worn on the thumb of a user which is unobtrusive and one which allows simultaneous use of the remaining fingers of the hand for holding the taped limb or object yet is ready for instantaneous use at all times to sever tape from the roll.

Another object of this invention is to provide a ringtype knife with a readily replaceable blade.

Other objects and attendant advantages of this invention will become more readily apparent and understood from the following detailed specification and accompanying single sheet of drawings in which:

The present invention is a cutting implement comprising a flattened structure of inverted U-shaped cross-section at one end and curved into a loop at its other end, the U-shaped end being generally rectangular and extending substantially tangentially in continuation from the bottom of the loop and having a slot formed between the legs of the U and running lengthwise thereof, a blade removably fitted into this slot, with the sharp edge of the blade slightly protruding downwardly from the slot, and means for holding the blade in the slot.

FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing illustrating the use of a finger-ring type knife of this invention in the taping of a limb;

FIG. 2 is a somewhat enlarged side elevation of the finger-ring knife incorporating features of this invention;

FIG. 3 is a bottom view of said finger-ring knife; and

FIG. 4 is a cross section taken on line 4-4 of FIG. 2.

Referring now to the details of the invention, reference numeral in the drawings designates generally a fingerring knife implement embodying features of this invention. This knife implement 10, which is intended to be IWOIII on the thumb of the user, consists of resilient metal or plastic flattened at one end and curved into a thumb loop 12 of slightly more than 180 degrees of circumference.

The other end or body 14 of the knife implement 10 is generally rectangular and extends tangentially in continuation from the bottom of the loop 12. This body 14 is provided with a thin, small, sharpened blade 18 which is remoyably fitted in a slot 16 in the bottom with the sharp edge slightly protruding.

-A retaining spring 20 is clasped to the side of body 14 by bent-over tabs 24 integrally formed on one end and the other end thereof is given a small outwardly extending tip-bend as shown best in FIG. 3. Intermediate the ends, the retaining spring 20 has an inwardly extending pair of pins 22 which pass through registering holes 26 and 28 in the body 14 and blade 18, respectively, as shown in FIG. 4.

To renew a blade 18 it is only necessary to insert the fingernail under the above-mentioned tip bend of the retaining spring 20, thus retracting the pins 22 from the blade 18. The blade 18 thusly drops out of the implement 10 and a new blade 18 can be inserted into the slot 16.

It should be noted from FIG. 1 that the left hand as well as the right hand '(LH and RH) are completely occupied in applying tape T to limb L, yet with a simple movement from the roll R without undue tension on the final lap of the wrapping. At the same time, the heel of the thumb -F may be employed in holding down the last lap.

As indicated, the implement 10 can be used for cutting any type of bandage material, including gauze, or it can be put to any other use in cutting thin materials.

Obviously many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore, to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described.

What is claimed is:

1. A cutting implement, comprising, a flattened structure of inverted U-shaped cross-section at one end and curved into a loop at its other end, said U-shaped end being generally rectangular and extending tangentially in continuation from the bottom of said loop and having a slot formed between the legs of the U and running lengthwise thereof, a blade removably fitted into said slot with a sharp edge thereof slightly protruding downwardly from said slot, said U-shaped end and said blade each having apertures in register with one another, and means attached to said flattened U-shaped end for holding said blade in said slot, said holding means including a retaining spring extending along said U-shaped end and having at one end tab elements bent around said U-shaped end to obtain attachment of said retaining spring to said U- shaped end and pin elements mounted to said retaining spring .and passing through said apertures of said U-shaped end and said blade for obtaining the removable fitting of said blade into said slot.

2. The cut-ting element of claim 1 wherein the opposite end of said retaining spring is bent outwardly to facilitate movement of a portion of said retaining spring away from said U-shaped end to release said blade from said slot.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 700,058 5/1902 Larson et a1. 30298 1,181,527 5/1916 Hooper 30-298 1,727,286 9/ 1929 Hamre 30-2-9 1,738,365 12/1929 Ga'hagan -30-339 1,879,851 9/ 1932 Kravitz 30-298 WILLIAM FEDDMAN, Primary Examiner. JAMES L. JONES, 111., Examiner. 

1. A CUTTING IMPLEMENT, COMPRISING, A FLATTENED STRUCTURE OF INVERTED U-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION AT ONE END AND CURVED INTO A LOOP AT ITS OTHER END, SAID U-SHAPED END BEING GENERALLY RECTANGULAR AND EXTENDING TANGENTIALLY IN CONTINUATION FROM THE BOTTOM OF SAID LOOP AND HAVING A SLOT FORMED BETWEEN THE LEGS OF THE U AND RUNNING LENGTHWISE THEREOF, A BLADE REMOVABLE FITTED INTO SAID SLOT WITH A SHARP EDGE THEREOF SLIGHTLY PROTRUDING DOWNWARDLY FROM SAID SLOT, SAID U-SHAPED END AND SAID BLADE EACH HAVING APERTURES IN REGISTER WITH ONE ANOTHER, AND MEANS ATTACHED TO SAID FLATTENED U-SHAPED END FOR HOLDING SAID BLADE IN SAID SLOT, SAID HOLDING MEANS INCLUDING A RETAINING SPRING EXTENDING ALONG SAID U-SHAPED END AND HAVING 